Systems and methods for modeling, analyzing, detecting, and monitoring fluid networks

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for optimally determining sensor or infrastructure placement in a fluid network, for determining an anomaly of interest in the fluid network, and for determining sensor coverage in a fluid network, which are based on a model of the fluid network represented by a directed graph.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofPCT/US2017/044727, filed Jul. 31, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S.Application No. 62/381,854, filed Aug. 31, 2016, the disclosure of whichis incorporated by reference in its/their entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems of modeling,analyzing, monitoring, and detecting fluid networks.

BACKGROUND

Fluid networks such as a water network may experience problems thatimpact availability and quality including slow or rapid leaks, corrosionof the transporting infrastructure, contamination, etc. Such problemsmay not be discovered and resolved until they have created a significantimpact on infrastructure, water quality, or health. An example is theElk River Chemical Spill on January, 2014 where about 300,000 residentswere affected and 122 were hospitalized because of the contamination.

SUMMARY

There is a desire to enable early or real-time detection of problems(e.g., pipe-coating issues, leaks/cracks, contamination, etc.) in afluid network, and enable a preemptive action, rather than reactive, bypredicting when and where an issue/problem is likely to occur.

In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of optimallydetermining sensor or infrastructure placement in a fluid network. Themethod includes creating a model of the fluid network. The modelincludes i) a plurality of directionally connected nodes representingfluid infrastructure disposed in the fluid network, and ii) one or moresensors positioned at one or more selected locations in the fluidnetwork. The method further includes representing the model as a matrixdata structure associated with a processor disposed outside of the fluidnetwork, analyzing, via the processor, the matrix to evaluate whethereach node of the model satisfies one or more localizability criteria.Analyzing the matrix includes interpreting and executing a plurality ofinstructions associated with the processor. The sensor or infrastructureplacement in the fluid network is determined.

In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a system includingone or more sensors positioned at one or more selected locations in afluid network. The sensors are configured to collect data from the fluidnetwork at the respective locations. A processor is disposed outside ofthe fluid network. The processor is configured to receive the data fromthe sensors, and analyze the data based on a model of the fluid network.The model includes a plurality of directionally connected nodesrepresenting fluid infrastructure disposed in the fluid network. Aplurality of instructions associated with the processor areinterpretable and executable by the processor to analyze the data anddetermine sensor placement within the fluid network.

In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a method ofdetermining an anomaly of interest in a fluid network. The methodincludes providing one or more sensors disposed at one or more selectedlocations in the fluid network. The sensors are configured to collectdata from the fluid network at the respective locations. The methodfurther includes collecting, via the one or more sensors, data from thefluid network at the one or more locations, receiving, via a processor,the data from the sensors, and analyzing, via the processor, the databased on a model of the fluid network. The model is represented as adirected graph associated with the processor. The directed graphincludes a plurality of directionally connected nodes where one or moreimaginary nodes are added between two adjacent nodes.

In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a method ofdetermining sensor coverage in a fluid network. The method includescreating a model of the fluid network. The model includes a plurality ofdirectionally connected nodes representing fluid infrastructure disposedin the fluid network. The method further includes representing the modelas a matrix data structure associated with a processor disposed outsideof the fluid network, and analyzing, via the processor, the matrix toevaluate whether each node satisfies one or more localizabilitycriteria. Analyzing the matrix includes interpreting and executing aplurality of instructions associated with the processor. The methodfurther includes assigning each node to one of a localization area, adetection area, and an out-of-reach area.

Various unexpected results and advantages are obtained in exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure. Such advantage of exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure include early or real-time detection anddetermination of problems/issues in a fluid network, preemptive actionsincluding predicting possible issues/problems in the fluid network,optimal sensor or fluid infrastructure placement, etc.

Various aspects and advantages of exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure have been summarized. The above Summary is not intended todescribe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of thepresent certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. TheDrawings and the Detailed Description that follow more particularlyexemplify certain preferred embodiments using the principles disclosedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosurein connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method of detecting an anomaly of interestin a fluid network, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system for detecting an anomalyof interest in a fluid network, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates a schematic diagram of a fluid network provided withsensors, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates a schematic diagram of a fluid network provided withsensors, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a directed graph representing a fluid network,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a flow diagram of a method of optimally determining sensorplacement in a fluid network, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4C illustrates the directed graph of FIG. 4A provided with sensorsat selected locations, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4D illustrates a reformatted version of the directed graph of FIG.4C provided with sensors at selected locations.

FIG. 5A illustrates a directed graph representing a fluid network withplacement of sensors at selected locations, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5B illustrates a reformatted version of the directed graph of FIG.5A.

FIG. 5C illustrates grouping adjacent nodes into node sets in the modelof FIG. 5B, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5D illustrates a modification of the fluid network of FIG. 5B byadding fluid paths, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates a flow diagram of a method of determining sensorcoverage in a fluid network, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6B illustrates a diagram of a fluid network divided into alocalization area, a detection area, and an out-of-reach area, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 6C illustrates a diagram of a fluid network divided into alocalization area, a detection area, and an out-of-reach area, accordingto another embodiment.

FIG. 6D illustrates a diagram of a fluid network divided into alocalization area, a detection area, and an out-of-reach area, accordingto another embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a directed graph representing a fluid networkmodified by adding imaginary nodes, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8A illustrates a model of a fluid network to determine potentialcontamination source, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8B illustrates a model of a fluid network to determine potentialcontamination source, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8C illustrates a model of a fluid network to determine potentialcontamination source, according to another embodiment.

In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements. Whilethe above-identified drawing, which may not be drawn to scale, setsforth various embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodimentsare also contemplated, as noted in the Detailed Description. In allcases, this disclosure describes the presently disclosed disclosure byway of representation of exemplary embodiments and not by expresslimitations. It should be understood that numerous other modificationsand embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fallwithin the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides methods and systems to enable early orreal-time detection of problems (e.g., pipe-coating issues, leaks,cracks, contaminations, etc.) in a fluid network, and enable preemptiveactions including predicting when and where an issue/problem in a fluidnetwork may be likely to occur. Fluid networks described herein mayinclude a fluid distribution, treatment, and/or collection network suchas, for example, a water pipeline distribution network, a watertreatment system, a sewer system, a natural waterway such as rivers andtributaries, a gas line distribution network (e.g. methane or propane),oil pipeline distribution network, etc. Methods and systems describedherein can solve the problem of difficult-to-detect problems in a fluidnetwork, where slow leaks, corrosion of transporting infrastructure, orcontamination issue may not be found until it has created a significantimpact on infrastructure, water quality, or health.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 100 of monitoring anomalyof interest in a fluid network. At 110, one or more sensors are providedfor the fluid network. The sensors can be any types of sensors capableof collecting data related to one or more parameters of the fluidnetwork such as, for example, a disinfectant concentration, acontaminant concentration, a fluid pressure, a fluid flow rate,temperature, conductivity, a usage or predicted end-of-life of a filter,etc. An exemplary sensor includes the KAPTA™ 3000-AC4 from EndetecVeolia of Kingston, Canada. The sensors can be located at variouslocations inside a fluid network. For example, sensors can be providedto commercial water filters, residential areas (e.g., refrigerators),public places (e.g., water fountains), etc. The present disclosureprovides methods on how to determine optimal sensor placement in thefluid network and methods on how to determine sensor coverage in thefluid network based on modeling the fluid network, which will bedescribed further below. The method 100 then proceeds to 120.

At 120, the sensors are instructed by a processor to collect the data.The processor can be located in a remote computer (e.g., server or theCloud) out of the fluid network. In some embodiments, sensors may beprovided for filters distributed in the fluid network, and datacollected by the sensor may indicate status of the respective filters.In some embodiments, each sensor can be instructed to collect data at aninitial time, which can be stored in a database as initial values. Themethod 100 then proceeds to 130.

At 130, the collected data are transferred from the sensors and receivedby the processor. The data can be transmitted directly or indirectly viasuitable technologies such as, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BluetoothLow Energy (BLE), cellular, Ethernet, etc. The collected data can betransferred in real time from the sensors, or be transferred at a laterdate to provide a retrospective indication of the fluid network. Datacan also be collected at regular time intervals or an adapted timeschedule based on a contextual situation. For example, data can becollected or transferred at a relatively higher frequency after a stormthat may have damaged the fluid network, or when the filters arepredicted to be near end-of-life. The method 100 then proceeds to 140.

At 140, the received data are analyzed by the processor to generateresults. In some embodiments, the received data can be analyzed based ona model of the fluid network. In some embodiments, a model of fluidnetwork can include directionally connected nodes representing fluidinfrastructure disposed in the fluid network. The nodes can be orderedas a partially order set, where order of nodes may change depending ondirections of fluid flow between nodes. For example, fluid flowdirection may change where there are fluctuations in “usage” at some ofthe nodes. The model can be representation(s) of the fluid networkincluding, for example, a directed acrylic diagraph (DAG). Therepresentations of the fluid network (e.g., a directed acrylic diagraph)can be stored or processed by the processor as a matrix data structuresuch as, for example, an adjacency matrix, a reachability matrix, etc.

In some embodiments, historical data or other data related to the fluidnetwork can be combined with the received real-time data from thesensors and analyzed by the processor. Such other types of data mayinclude, for example, previous issues/problems in the fluid network(e.g., breakage, replacement, etc.), weather (thunderstorms, floods,etc., that might be the cause of a damage on the fluid network incertain areas), temperature, pressure, or conductivity variations, andreported damage (e.g., fallen tree, electrical lines, and itscorrelation with fluid network damage). In some embodiments, baselinemeasurements can be conducted to determine whether there is any initialcontamination such as contamination introduced during installation offluid infrastructure. In some embodiments, historical data from thesensors related to the fluid network can be analyzed in terms of time,geography, etc., to derive an anomalous pattern. The data can be storedin, for example, a database associated with the processor or in a Cloud.The generated results including, for example, analysis reports, alerts,alarms, etc. The method 100 then proceeds to 150.

At 150, based on the analysis of the data, it is determined, via theprocessor or an operator/user, whether there is anomaly of interest inthe fluid network. Possible anomalies of interest may include, forexample, a contamination, an infrastructure fault, fluid leak, elevationor declination of temperature, pressure, or conductivity, orcombinations thereof, etc. In some embodiments, the processor mayfurther determine possible locations of the anomaly inside the fluidnetwork. When there is an anomaly in the fluid network, the method 100proceeds to 160 to generate an output in the form of, for example, analarm, an alert, a report, etc. When there is no anomaly in the fluidnetwork, the method 100 proceeds back to 120. In some embodiments, theoutput may include prediction of future fluid network problems/issuessuch as, for example, pipe failures based on similar environments byclassifying the fluid network based on age, size, usage, etc. In someembodiments, the output may include whether someone is stealingresources from the fluid network via a noticeable difference in networkcharacteristics (e.g., a new “node” in the model being detected). Insome embodiments, the output may be used to provide prioritization ofwater sourcing, shutdown, and/or diversion based on the infrastructureit is serving. For example, if a contamination is detected, rerouting ofclean water can be prioritized to a hospital over other infrastructure.In some embodiments, the output may be provided to homeowners bycomparing their filter usage to their neighbors (e.g., to determinewhether a water health issue is localized to the house).

FIG. 2 illustrates a detection system 200 for determining an anomaly ofinterest in a fluid network 10 by implementing, for example, the method100, according to one embodiment. The fluid network 10 can include afluid distribution, treatment, and/or collection network such as, forexample, a water pipeline distribution network, a water treatmentsystem, a water collection network, a sewer system, natural waterwayssuch as rivers and tributaries, a gas line distribution network (e.g.methane or propane), oil pipeline distribution network, etc. One or moresensors 12 are provided for various locations inside the fluid network10.

The detection system 200 includes the sensors 12, a computationcomponent 226, and one or more input/output devices 216. The sensors 12can be any types of sensors capable of collecting data related to one ormore parameters of the fluid network such as, for example, adisinfectant concentration, a contaminant concentration, a fluidpressure, a fluid flow rate, temperature, conductivity, a usage orpredicted end-of-life of a filter, etc. Exemplary sensors may includepassive, wireless sensors. The sensors 12 may include a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID), which can identify individual fluidinfrastructure (e.g., filter) and its related information (e.g., size,model, usage, time of installation, status, etc.).

In some embodiments, the fluid network 10 may be a water networkprovided with a water filter system including water filters and/or otherwater filtration, separation and/or purification products. The waterfilter system is applied to reduce contaminates such as, for example,chlorine and/or chloramine, particulates, lead, etc. The sensors 12 canbe provided for the water filters to track the usage/end-of-life of thewater filters.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the computation component 226 includes aprocessor 212 and a memory 214. The computation component 226 isfunctionally connected to the sensors 12, receives signals or datarelated to the fluid network 10 from the sensors 12, and analyze thereceived signals/data to generate results including, for example,analysis reports, alerts, alarms, etc. In some embodiments, the datareceived from the sensors 12 can be stored in the memory 214. In someembodiments, a model can be created to represent the fluid network 10.The model may include directionally connected nodes representing fluidinfrastructure of the fluid network. The model can include, for example,a directed graph or a partially ordered set, which is stored in thememory 214 as data in the form of an adjacency matrix. The processor 212can analyze the model by interpreting and executing instructions from asoftware program associated with the processor 212.

The memory 214 stores information. In some embodiments, the memory 214can store instructions for performing the methods or processes describedherein. In some embodiments, data related to the fluid network, or themodel of the fluid network can be pre-stored in the memory 214.

The memory 214 may include any volatile or non-volatile storageelements. Examples may include random access memory (RAM) such assynchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory(ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), and FLASH memory. Examples mayalso include hard-disk, magnetic tape, a magnetic or optical datastorage media, a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), aBlu-ray disk, and a holographic data storage media. Data may also bestored in a Cloud computing environment.

The processor 212 may include, for example, one or more general-purposemicroprocessors, specially designed processors, application specificintegrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), acollection of discrete logic, and/or any type of processing devicecapable of executing the techniques described herein. In someembodiments, the processor 212 (or any other processors describedherein) may be described as a computing device. In some embodiments, thememory 214 may be configured to store program instructions (e.g.,software instructions) that are executed by the processor 212 to carryout the processes or methods described herein. In other embodiments, theprocesses or methods described herein may be executed by specificallyprogrammed circuitry of the processor 212. In some embodiments, theprocessor 212 may thus be configured to execute the techniques foranalyzing data related to a fluid network described herein. Theprocessor 212 (or any other processors described herein) may include oneor more processors.

Input/output device 216 may include one or more devices configured toinput or output information from or to a user or other device. In someembodiments, the input/output device 216 may present a user interface218 where a user may control the assessment of a fluid network. Forexample, user interface 218 may include a display screen for presentingvisual information to a user. In some embodiments, the display screenincludes a touch sensitive display. In some embodiments, a userinterface 218 may include one or more different types of devices forpresenting information to a user. The user interface 218 may include,for example, any number of visual (e.g., display devices, lights, etc.),audible (e.g., one or more speakers), and/or tactile (e.g., keyboards,touch screens, or mice) feedback devices. In some embodiments, theinput/output devices 216 may represent one or more of a display screen(e.g., a liquid crystal display or light emitting diode display) and/ora printer (e.g., a printing device or component for outputtinginstructions to a printing device). In some embodiments, theinput/output device 116 may be configured to accept or receive programinstructions (e.g., software instructions) that are executed by theprocessor 112 to carry out the embodiments described herein.

The detection system 200 may also include other components and thefunctions of any of the illustrated components including the processor212, the memory 214, and the input/output devices 216 may be distributedacross multiple components and separate devices such as, for example,computers. The system 200 may be configured as a workstation, desktopcomputing device, notebook computer, tablet computer, mobile computingdevice, or any other suitable computing device or collection ofcomputing devices. The system 200 may operate on a local network or behosted in a Cloud computing environment. The illustrated components ofFIG. 2 are shown merely to explain various aspects of the presentdisclosure and the addition or removal of components would be apparentto one of skill in the art.

The detection system 200 allows a user to determine anomalies in a fluidnetwork in real time. In some embodiments, the collected data from afluid network can be automatically analyzed in real time, via theprocessor, based on a model of the fluid network to generate results foroutput. The detection system 200 further allows a user to predictpossible issues/problems that a fluid network may have in the future.

FIG. 3A illustrates a diagram of a water pipeline network 10 as anexemplary fluid network, according to one embodiment. Water is suppliedfrom water supply 2. Various fluid infrastructures 3 are connected bywater pipelines 4. Sensors are provided at selected locations A throughG in the water pipeline network 10. The sensors can be functionallyconnected to a processor of a detection system such as the system 200 ofFIG. 2, and configured to collect data at the various locations in thenetwork 10, which can then be transmitted to the processor of thedetection system to analyze. Based on the sensor data received from thelocations A-G, the processor of the detection system can analyze thedata and determine that the locations A-C, F and G have “good” watercondition, while the locations D and E have “bad” water condition in theillustrated example. The processor can further determine, based on amodel of the network 10, that the possible cause of anomaly (e.g.,burst/contamination) may be located at location 31 in the network 10between the locations B and D.

FIG. 3B illustrates a diagram of a water pipeline network 10′ as anotherexemplary fluid network. Water is supplied from a water supply 2′ to thewater pipeline network 10′. Various fluid infrastructures 3′ areconnected by water pipelines 4′. The various fluid infrastructures 3′can be represented by nodes that are directionally connected wherearrows correspond to fluid flow directions in the fluid network. As anexample, fluid infrastructure located at nodes A, B and C aredirectionally connected as shown in the left inset, where node C is adependency-connection between node A and node B, and nodes A and B aretherefore not dependency (d)—separated. Node C is defined as ad-separator in the path from node A to node B.

In the present disclosure, models are created to represent various fluidnetworks. A model of fluid network can include directionally connectednodes representing the fluid infrastructure disposed in the fluidnetwork. Properties of fluid flow such as, e.g., flow directions, flowrate, within the fluid network can be measured by flow sensors orderived using fluid dynamics based on factors such as, for example, pipesizes, length, etc. In some embodiments, a model can berepresentation(s) of the fluid network including, for example, adirected acrylic diagraph (DAG). The representations of the fluidnetwork (e.g., a directed acrylic diagraph) can be stored or processedby a processor as a matrix data structure matrix such as, for example,an adjacency matrix, a reachability matrix, etc.

FIG. 4A illustrate a model 20 of a fluid network, according to oneembodiment. In the model 20, various fluid infrastructure arerepresented by nodes 1 through 17. For example, node 1 may represent awater supply. Nodes 1-17 are directionally connected to form a directedgraph, which is a partially ordered set. The arrows in FIG. 4Acorrespond to fluid flow directions in the fluid network. It is to beunderstood that a fluid network can be represented by various directedgraphs. A directed graph of a fluid network can further be representedby a matrix data structure such as, for example, an adjacency matrix,reachability matrix, etc. The matrix data structure can be stored and/oranalyzed by a processor.

The present disclosure provides methods to analyze, via a processor suchas processor 212 of FIG. 2, a model of fluid network. In someembodiments, the model or representations of the model can be analyzedto evaluate whether a node or a set of nodes satisfies one or morelocalizability criteria. In some embodiments, the localizabilitycriteria may include, for example, for a given node or node set,evaluating whether there are at least two sensors disposed downstream ofthe given node or node set which have the respective paths not sharingany d-separator with respect to the given node or node set. When a givennode satisfies the localizability criteria, no sensor is provided to thegiven node. When the given node does not satisfy the localizabilitycriteria, one or more sensors are provided to the given node.Instructions associated with the processor can be interpreted andexecuted to analyze the model or representations of the model. The aboveprocess of analyzing may include dynamic programming including abottom-up approach starting from the lowest level in the representationsof the model, as further explained by one embodiment as shown in FIG.4B.

FIG. 4B is a flow diagram of a method 300 for optimally determiningsensor placement in a fluid network, according to one embodiment. At310, a fluid network is represented by a model. The model can be, forexample, a directed graph such as the directed graph 20 shown in FIG.4A. The directed graph can be a partial order set where nodes areordered in different levels. The method 300 then proceeds to 320. At320, one or more nodes or node sets at the lowest level of the model areevaluated to determine at 330 whether the node or node set satisfieslocalizability criteria, e.g., whether there are at least two sensorsdisposed downstream of the given node or node set which have therespective paths not sharing any d-separator with respect to the givennode or node set. When the node or node set satisfies the localizationcriteria, the method 300 proceeds to 340. When the node or node set doesnot satisfy the localizability criteria, the method 300 proceeds to 350.At 340, sensor(s) is added to the node or node set, and the model (e.g.,directed graph) is updated with the added sensor(s). At 350, next modeor mode set at the same level or an upper level is evaluated in the samemanner. The process continues until the node(s) at the upper most levelof the fluid network is evaluated.

Application of the method 300 of FIG. 4B to the fluid networkrepresented by the model 20 of FIG. 4A produces results that are shownin FIGS. 4C-D. The evaluation starts from the lowest level, e.g., node16 or 17 in the directed graph 20. It is found that nodes 16 and 17 donot satisfy the localizability criteria. There are no sensors downstreamof node 16 or 17. Sensors are added at nodes 16 and 17, respectively,and the directed graph 20 is updated with the added sensors at nodes 16and 17. Then, node 14 or 15 at the next level can be evaluated. It isfound that nodes 14 and 15 satisfy the localizability criteria. Thereare two sensors downstream at nodes 16 and 17, and the respective pathsfrom nodes 14 and 15 to the two sensors at nodes 16 and 17 do notsharing any d-separator. No sensors will be provided to nodes 14 and 15.This bottom-up approach continues and each node can be evaluated. It isfound that nodes 11-13, 8, 9, and 1-7 satisfy the criteria and nosensors will be provided to these nodes. Node 10 does not satisfy thelocalizability criteria. The respective paths from node 10 to the twosensors at nodes 16 and 17, e.g., 10-13-14-16 and 10-13-15-17, can sharea d-separator (e.g., node 13). A sensor is provided to node 10 and thedirected graph 20 is updated.

With sensors being placed at nodes 16, 17 and 10, it is sufficient tocover the whole fluid network. That is, by analyzing the data from thesensors located at nodes 10, 16 and 17, a processor of a detectionsystem can explicitly determine the status at each nodes in the fluidnetwork. FIG. 4D illustrates a reformatted version of the directed graphof FIG. 4C provided with sensors at selected locations. In someembodiments, when there is an anomaly in the fluid network, theprocessor can explicitly determine the location of anomaly by analyzingthe sensor data. For example, when sensors data indicate that nodes 11,14 and 16 have contamination and the remaining nodes have nocontamination, the processor can determine that the cause ofcontamination is located at node 11.

When a fluid network requires n sensors to completely cover the fluidnetwork, a complexity index of the network can be expressed as the ratioof the required number n of sensors and the number of nodes in the fluidnetwork. For example, the complexity index of the fluid network 20 ofFIG. 4A is 3/17.

It is to be understood that in some embodiments, one or more nodes of amodel can be grouped into respective node sets before evaluation. Forexample, nodes 14 and 15 of FIG. 4A can be grouped into a single nodeset which can be evaluated. Each node set can include one or moreadjacent nodes, and each node set can be evaluated, in the same manneras shown in FIGS. 4B-C, to determine whether the node sets or acombination of nodes and node sets satisfy the localizability criteria.

FIG. 5A illustrate a model 30 of a fluid network, according to anotherembodiment. The fluid network is represented by a directed graph. Node 1may represent a water supply. The model 30 can be analyzed in a mannersimilar as shown in FIGS. 4A-D for the model 20, as discussed above. Themodel 30 includes 74 nodes among which thirty-two nodes do not satisfythe localizability criteria and sensors are provided for the thirty-twonodes (e.g., circled nodes in FIG. 5A) to completely cover the wholefluid network 30. The complexity index of the fluid network 30 of FIG.5A is 32/74. FIG. 5B illustrates a reformatted version of the directedgraph of FIG. 5A provided with sensors at selected locations.

In some embodiments, the nodes of the model 30 can be first grouped intorespective node sets before evaluation. FIG. 5C shows that some adjacentnodes are grouped into the same node set 32 (e.g., within the samecircle). In this manner, the number of required sensors to completelycover the whole fluid network can decrease from 32 to 15, as compared toFIG. 5B. The tradeoff is that when one specific node set is determinedto be the cause of an anomaly, it may not tell the explicit location(e.g., which node) of anomaly within the specific node set.

In some embodiments, a fluid network can be modified to reduce thenumber of sensors required for full coverage of the fluid network. Asshown in FIG. 5D, one or more fluid connections 34 (e.g., pipelines) canbe added to directionally, fluidly connect fluid infrastructurerepresented by nodes. When the fluid connections 34 are added in FIG.5D, the number of required sensors to completely cover the whole fluidnetwork can decrease from 32 to 11, as compared to FIG. 5B.

The present disclosure further provides methods of determining sensorcoverage in a fluid network. The methods can include building a model ofthe fluid network. The model can include directionally connected nodesrepresenting fluid infrastructure disposed in the fluid network. One ormore sensors can be positioned at one or more selected locations in thefluid network. The model or representations of the model can be storedin, for example, a processor. The model or its representation can beanalyzed, via the processor, to evaluate whether each node satisfies oneor more localizability criteria. The localizability criteria mayinclude, for example, for a given node, evaluating whether there are atleast two sensors downstream of the given node which have the respectivepaths not sharing any d-separator with respect to the given node.

Based on results of the evaluation, the nodes of the model can beassigned to one of a localization area, a detection area, and anout-of-reach area. A localization area refers to an area in a fluidnetwork where the location of anomaly (e.g., at a specific node) can beexplicitly determined. A detection area refers to an area in a fluidnetwork where data/signal related to an anomaly may be detected, but theexact location of the anomaly is unknown. An out-of-reach area refers toan area in the fluid network where no information related to the anomalycan be obtained. When a given node satisfies the localizabilitycriteria, the given node is assigned to the localization area, and whenthe given node does not satisfy the localizability criteria, the givennode is assigned to the detection area or the out-of-reach area.

When the given node does not satisfy the localizability criteria, thegiven node can be further evaluated to determine whether a sensor islocated at or downstream from the given node. If no sensors are locatedat or downstream, the area corresponding to the given node is assignedto the out-of-reach area, otherwise it is assigned to the detectionarea.

In some embodiments, evaluation of paths between the given node andother nodes can be performed by using suitable algorisms regardingreachability of such as an advanced Markov chain method. An exemplaryMarkov chain method was described in Golnari et al., “Pivotality ofNodes in Reachability Problems Using Avoidance and Transit Hitting TimeMetrics,” 7th Annual Workshop on Simplifying Complex Networks forPractitioners SIMPLEX 2015, May. 2015. It is to be understood theevaluation of paths can be performed by any other suitable algorithms.

In some embodiments, the sensitivity of sensors (e.g., sensitivity onmeasuring contamination concentration or its change) and an absorptionprobability matrix Q can be analyzed to determine a minimum detectableconcentration of contamination level for at least some of the nodes. Theabsorption probability matrix Q of a fluid network will be describedfurther below.

FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of a method 400 for determining sensorcoverage in a fluid network, according to one embodiment. At 410, afluid network is represented by a model. The model can be, for example,a directed graph such as the directed graph 20 shown in FIG. 4A. Thedirected graph can be a partial order set where nodes are ordered indifferent levels. The method 400 then proceeds to 420. At 420, one ormore nodes or node sets at the lowest level of the model are evaluatedto determine at 430 whether the node or node set satisfieslocalizability criteria, e.g., whether there are at least two sensorsdisposed downstream of the given node or node set which have therespective paths not sharing any d-separator with respect to the givennode or node set.

When the node or node set satisfies the localization criteria, themethod 400 proceeds to 440. When the node or node set does not satisfythe localizability criteria, the method 400 proceeds to 450. At 440, thenode or node set is assigned to a localization area. The method 400 thenproceeds to 480.

At 450, the node or node set is further evaluated to determine there aresensor(s) at the node or node set or at lower level(s) (i.e., downstreamof the node or node set). When there is a sensor located at ordownstream of the node or node set, the method 400 proceeds to 460. At460, the node or node set is assigned to a detection area. When thereare no sensors located at or downstream of the node or node set, themethod 400 proceeds to 470. At 470, the node or node set is assigned toan out-of-reach area. The method 400 then proceeds to 480.

At 480, next mode or mode set at the same level or an upper level in themodel is evaluated in the same manner. The process continues until thenode(s) at the upper most level of the fluid network is evaluated.

By applying the method 400 of FIG. 6A to a fluid network represented bythe model 20 of FIG. 4A, the results are shown in FIG. 6B. As shown inFIG. 6B, sensors are provided to nodes 10 and 16, respectively. Theevaluation starts from the lowest level, e.g., node 16 or 17 in thedirected graph 20. It is found that node 16 do not satisfy thelocalizability criteria. There are no sensors downstream of node 16.Node 16 is further evaluated to determine whether there is a sensor ator downstream of node 16. There is a sensor located at node 16. Node 16is assigned to a detection area. Nodes 17 is evaluated in the samemanner. It is found that node 17 do not satisfy the localizabilitycriteria. There are no sensors downstream of node 17. Node 17 is furtherevaluated to determine whether there is a sensor at or downstream ofnode 17. There is no sensor located at or downstream of node 17. Node 17is assigned to an out-of-reach area. Then, node 14 or 15 at the nextlevel can be evaluated. It is found that nodes 14 and 15 do not satisfythe localizability criteria. There is only one sensor downstream at node16. Nodes 14 and 15 are assigned to a detection area, respectively. Thisbottom-up approach continues and each node can be evaluated. It is foundthat nodes 1, 3 and 6 each satisfy the localizability criteria andassigned to a localization area. For example, for node 3, one path fromnode 3 to the sensor at node 16 through 3-5-9-12-14-16 and one path fromnode 3 to another sensor at node 10 through 3-6-10 do not share anyd-separator, and node 3 satisfies the localizability criteria. Othernodes are assigned to a detection area. With sensors being placed atnodes 10 and 16, the fluid network 20 is partially covered, and dividedinto the localization area, the detection area, and the out-of-reacharea. By analyzing the data from the sensors located at node 10 and 16,a processor of a detection system can (i) explicitly determine thelocation of anomaly if the anomaly source is within the localizationarea, and (ii) detect the occurrence of an anomaly if the anomaly sourceis within the detection area.

FIG. 6C illustrates a diagram of a model 40 where the nodes are assignedto a localization area 61, a detection area 62, and an out-of-reach area63, respectively, according to one embodiment. The model 40 of FIG. 6Aare the same as the model 30 of FIG. 5B except that the number ofsensors and their locations are different. Sensors are provided for thefluid network in FIG. 5B such that the whole fluid network is completelycovered, while in FIG. 6C, the fluid network is partially covered andthe nodes are assigned to one of a localization area, a detection area,and an out-of-reach area.

FIG. 6D illustrates a diagram of a model 50 where the nodes are assignedto a localization area 61, a detection area 62, and an out-of-reach area63, respectively, according to another embodiment. The model 50 of FIG.6B are the same as the model 40 of FIG. 6C except that the number ofsensors and their locations are different. In FIG. 6D, the fluid networkis partially covered and the nodes are assigned to one of a localizationarea, a detection area, and an out-of-reach area. As compared to FIG.6C, when the number and/or location of sensors change, the assignment ofthe nodes to different areas is changed accordingly.

The present disclosure further provides methods of detecting andlocalizing an anomaly of interest in a fluid network. The anomaly canbe, for example, a contamination, infrastructure fault, etc. The methodscan determine the level of contamination and its location (e.g., atwhich node of the fluid network) when the contamination occurs within alocalization area of the fluid network. The methods can further detectthe occurrence/existence of contamination at other nodes (e.g., nodes ina detection area of the fluid network) and identify the locations athigh risk within the fluid network.

The methods may include, for example, providing one or more sensorsdisposed at one or more selected locations in the fluid network. Thesensors are configured to collect data from the fluid network at therespective locations. Data can be collected, via the one or moresensors, from the fluid network at the one or more locations on whichthe one or more sensors are disposed. The collected data can includesensor measurements before and after an anomaly has occurred. The datacan then be received from the sensors, and analyzed, via the processor,based on a model of the fluid network. The model can includedirectionally connected nodes. In some embodiments, one or moreimaginary nodes can be added between two adjacent nodes to generate aharmonic function of contamination concentration or concentration changebased on the model.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of modeling a fluid network by addingimaginary or decay nodes, according to one embodiment. The model of thesimplified fluid network includes nodes 1 and 2 directionally connectedto node 3. Imaginary nodes 4 and 5 are added between the nodes 1 and 3,and the nodes 2 and 3, respectively. Without the imaginary nodes, theconcentration of contaminants (e.g., chlorine) can be expressed by:C₃=(q ₁₃ d ₁₃C₁ +q ₂₃ d ₂₃C₂)/(q ₁₃ +q ₂₃)  (1a)

where Ci is the concentration of contaminant at node i, q_(ij) is afluid flow rate from node i to j, d_(ij) is a contamination decayparameter from node i to j.

The above equation (1a) is not harmonic, and there may be no-existing,not unique, or inefficient solutions.

By adding the imaginary nodes (e.g., nodes 0, 4 and 5), contaminationlevels (e.g., chlorine level) at the real nodes (e.g., nodes 1-3) of thefluid network can be calculated as one or more harmonic functions. Thecontamination decay, d, is set to zero at imaginary node 0. Then, forexample, C₄ may be represented as:C₄=(C₁ d ₁₃+C₀(1−d ₁₃))/d ₁₃+(1−d ₁₃)  (1b)Which can then reduce to the harmonic function:C₄=C₁ d ₁₃  (1c)

This formulation may then be derived for the remaining nodes to gain aharmonic diffusion model. Given this harmonic diffusion model, andfollowing Dirichlet's principle, the contamination level of all realnodes may be found when the contamination level (e.g., chlorine level)at the sources (originating node and any nodes with a sensor) is known.

The contamination level at the imaginary or decay nodes can be set to beabout zero. In some embodiments, when the location and centration of acontamination source are determined, the contamination levels at othernodes (e.g., nodes in a detection area of the fluid network) of thefluid network can be calculated by:C_(interior)=QC_(boundary)  (2)

where C_(interior)is the vector of contamination levels of all nodesexcept for the contamination source, C_(boundary) is the vector ofcontamination level at the contamination source, and Q is an absorptionprobability matrix which can be determined by a transition probabilitymatrix. The transition probability matrix can be determined from anadjacency matrix constructed from weights, representative of fluid flowand contamination decay in the fluid network. The transition probabilitymatrix is further partitioned to represent interior and boundarysources. The absorption probability matrix, Q, can be solved for aspecific fluid network by one skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, a model of fluid network with imaginary nodes canbe used to determine the location of one or more contamination sourcesbased on data collected by sensors at some nodes, which can be furtherused to estimate contamination levels at other nodes and/or identifylocations of contamination in high risk.

In some embodiments, for a relatively simple fluid network, the locationof a contamination source can be determined by individually consideringeach node as a boundary node with an assumed contamination level aspotential contamination source, and comparing these modeled values tothe sensor measurements. For relatively complex fluid networks, thismethod may be difficult to implement due to the complexity of thenetwork.

In some embodiments, the location of a contamination source can bedetermined by placing at least two sensors at downstream locations ofthe fluid network, analyzing data from the sensors before and after ananomalous event, and modeling the initial, non-anomalous state of anode. An absorption probability matrix and the contamination level atthe anomaly source can then be obtained using a fitting estimationmethod, such as, a Least-Squares method, which is known in the art.

In some embodiments, data from the sensors can be analyzed to computethe level of contamination at nodes within a detection area of the fluidnetwork. The methods of assigning nodes to a detection area has beendiscussed above. See, for example, FIG. 6B. The contamination levels atthe nodes can be computed by determining an absorption probabilitymatrix Q. The data can be further analyzed to localize one or morepotential contamination sources based on the computed level ofcontamination at the nodes. Based on the information of the potentialcontamination sources, contamination levels at other nodes in the fluidnetwork can be further estimated.

FIGS. 8A-C illustrate how to determine the location of contaminationsources with varying amounts of sensors in a fluid network. In FIG. 8A,one sensor is located at node 82 and the contamination level is measuredat the node 82. Using the model and contamination localization methoddiscuss above, the nodes of the fluid network can be respectivelyassigned to a localization area, a detection area, and an out-of-reacharea. The contamination levels for the nodes within the detection areacan be calculated to determine potential contamination source(s). Inthis case, ten nodes (e.g., nodes with a square in FIG. 8A) areidentified as potential contamination sources, and are labeled withtheir respective contamination levels. In FIG. 8B, two sensors arelocated at nodes 83 a and 83 b, respectively. Similarly, thecontamination levels for the nodes within the detection area can beobtained. In this case, four nodes have been identified as a potentialcontamination source, and are labeled with their respectivecontamination levels. In FIG. 8C, three sensors are located at nodes 84a, 84 b and 84 c, respectively. In this case, the location ofcontamination source is determined to be at node 88. In FIGS. 8A-B, acontamination to a subset of localized nodes can be determined based onthe calculated contamination levels and sensor(s) locations, while inFIG. 8C, the described method can exactly localize the node with thecontamination source.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities oringredients, measurement of properties and so forth used in thespecification and embodiments are to be understood as being modified inall instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoingspecification and attached listing of embodiments can vary dependingupon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled inthe art utilizing the teachings of the present disclosure. At the veryleast, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine ofequivalents to the scope of the claimed embodiments, each numericalparameter should at least be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may take on variousmodifications and alterations without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is to be understoodthat the embodiments of the present disclosure are not to be limited tothe following described exemplary embodiments, but is to be controlledby the limitations set forth in the claims and any equivalents thereof.

LISTING OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments are listed below. It is to be understood that anyof embodiments in lists I, II, III and IV can be combined.

Embodiment List I

Embodiment 1 is a method of optimally determining sensor orinfrastructure placement in a fluid network, the method comprising:

-   -   creating a model of the fluid network, wherein the model        comprises i) a plurality of directionally connected nodes        representing fluid infrastructure disposed in the fluid network,        and ii) one or more sensors positioned at one or more selected        locations in the fluid network;    -   representing the model as a matrix data structure associated        with a processor, wherein the processor is disposed outside of        the fluid network;    -   analyzing, via the processor, the matrix to evaluate whether        each node of the model satisfies one or more localizability        criteria, wherein analyzing the matrix comprises interpreting        and executing a plurality of instructions associated with the        processor; and    -   determining the sensor or infrastructure placement in the fluid        network based on results of analyzing the matrix.

Embodiment 2 is the method of embodiment 1, wherein the model includesone or more directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), and the matrix includes areachability matrix.

Embodiment 3 is the method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein analyzing thematrix comprises dynamic programming including a bottom-up approachstarting from the lowest level in the matrix.

Embodiment 4 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-3, whereinanalyzing whether each node of the model satisfies one or morelocalizability criteria includes for a given node, evaluating whetherthere are at least two sensors disposed downstream of the given nodewhich have the respective paths not sharing any d-separator with respectto the given node.

Embodiment 5 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-4, whereindetermining the sensor or infrastructure placement comprises when agiven node does not satisfy the localizability criteria, providing asensor to the given node, and when the given node satisfies thelocalizability criteria, not providing a sensor to the given node.

Embodiment 6 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-5, whereindetermining the sensor or infrastructure placement comprises determiningthe minimum number of sensors for covering the whole fluid network.

Embodiment 7 is the method of embodiment 6, wherein determining thesensor or infrastructure placement comprises determining a complexityindex of the fluid network as the ratio of the minimum number ofrequired sensors and the number of nodes.

Embodiment 8 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-7, whereincreating the model further comprises grouping a plurality of adjacentnodes of the model into a node set.

Embodiment 9 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-8, whereindetermining the sensor or infrastructure placement comprises adding oneor more fluid paths between the nodes in the fluid network to reduce thenumber of sensors.

Embodiment List II

Embodiment 1 is a method of determining an anomaly of interest in afluid network, the method comprising:

-   -   providing one or more sensors disposed at one or more selected        locations in the fluid network, wherein the sensors are        configured to collect data from the fluid network at the        respective locations;    -   collecting, via the one or more sensors, data from the fluid        network at the one or more locations;    -   receiving, via a processor, the data from the sensors; and    -   analyzing, via the processor, the data based on a model of the        fluid network, wherein the model is represented as a directed        graph associated with the processor, the directed graph        comprises a plurality of directionally connected nodes where one        or more imaginary nodes are added between two adjacent nodes.

Embodiment 2 is the method of embodiment 1, wherein the anomaly isrelated to contamination or infrastructure fault in the fluid network.

Embodiment 3 is the method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein analyzing thedata further comprises computing the level of contamination at one ormore nodes in a detection area in the fluid network.

Embodiment 4 is the method of embodiment 3, wherein computing the levelof contamination at the plurality of nodes further comprises determiningan absorption probability matrix Q.

Embodiment 5 is the method of embodiment 3 or 4 wherein analyzing thedata further comprises localizing one or more contamination sourcesbased on the computed level of contamination at the first nodes.

Embodiment 6 is the method of embodiment 3, 4 or 5, wherein thedetection area is determined based on one or more localizabilitycriteria including for a given node, evaluating whether there are atleast two sensors disposed downstream of the given node which have therespective paths not sharing any d-separator with respect to the givennode.

Embodiment 7 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein themodel is a harmonic model, and a contamination concentration level inthe fluid network is represented as a harmonic function.

Embodiment 8 is the method of embodiment 7, wherein the contaminationconcentration level includes a chlorine level.

Embodiment 9 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein thedirected graph further comprises a second imaginary node connected tothe one or more imaginary nodes.

Embodiment List III

Embodiment 1 is a method of determining sensor coverage in a fluidnetwork, the method comprising:

-   -   creating a model of the fluid network, wherein the model        comprises a plurality of directionally connected nodes        representing fluid infrastructure disposed in the fluid network        and one or more sensors at positioned one or more selected        locations in the fluid network;    -   representing the model as a matrix data structure associated        with a processor, wherein the processor is disposed outside of        the fluid network;    -   analyzing, via the processor, the matrix to evaluate whether        each node satisfies one or more localizability criteria, wherein        analyzing the matrix comprises interpreting and executing a        plurality of instructions associated with the processor; and    -   assigning each node to one of a localization area, a detection        area, and an out-of-reach area.

Embodiment 2 is the method of embodiment 1, wherein the model is agraphical model including one or more directed acyclic graphs (DAGs).

Embodiment 3 is the method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein analyzingwhether each node satisfies one or more localizability criteriacomprises evaluating, via the plurality of instructions, paths between apair of nodes to determine whether the paths pass through a medial node.

Embodiment 4 is the method of embodiment 3, wherein evaluating the pathincludes implementing, via the plurality of instructions, an advancedMarkov chain method.

Embodiment 5 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-4, whereinanalyzing whether each node satisfies one or more localizabilitycriteria includes for a given node, evaluating, via the plurality ofinstructions, whether there are at least two sensors downstream of thegiven node which have the respective paths not sharing any d-separatorwith respect to the given node.

Embodiment 6 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein when agiven node satisfies the localizability criteria, the given node isassigned to the localization area, and when the given node does notsatisfy the localizability criteria, the given node is assigned to thedetection area or the out-of-reach area.

Embodiment 7 is the method of embodiment 6, wherein when the given nodedoes not satisfy the localizability criteria, the given node is furtherevaluated to determine whether a sensor is located downstream from thegiven node, when no sensors are located downstream, the given node isassigned to the out-of-reach area, otherwise the given node is assignedto the detection area.

Embodiment 8 is the method of any one of embodiments 1-7 furthercomprising determining a minimum detectable concentration ofcontamination level for each node.

Embodiment 9 is the method of embodiment 8, wherein determining theminimum detectable concentration comprises analyzing the sensitivity ofsensors distributed in the fluid network and an absorption probabilitymatrix.

Embodiment List IV

Embodiment 1 is a system, comprising:

-   -   one or more sensors positioned at one or more selected locations        in a fluid network, wherein the sensors are configured to        collect data from the fluid network at the respective locations;        and    -   a processor disposed outside of the fluid network, wherein the        processor is configured to receive the data from the sensors,        and analyze the data based on a model of the fluid network,        wherein the model comprises a plurality of directionally        connected nodes representing fluid infrastructure disposed in        the fluid network and one or more sensors positioned at the one        or more selected locations; and    -   a plurality of instructions associated with the processor,        wherein the plurality of instructions are interpretable and        executable by the processor to analyze the data and determine        sensor placement within the fluid network.

Embodiment 2 is the system of embodiment 1, wherein the fluid networkincludes a water network.

Embodiment 3 is the system of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the fluidinfrastructure of the fluid network includes one or more water filters.

Embodiment 4 is the system of embodiment 3, wherein the plurality ofsensors includes one or more filter sensors provided with the waterfilters.

Embodiment 5 is the system of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein thedata from the sensors are related to one or more parameters of adisinfectant concentration, a contaminant concentration, a pressure, ora flow rate.

Embodiment 6 is the system of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein thedata are related to a change or damage to the fluid network.

Embodiment 7 is the system of any one of embodiments 1-6 furthercomprising a database associated with the processor, wherein the datafrom the sensors are stored in the database.

Embodiment 8 is the system of embodiment 7, wherein the database furtherincludes historical data related to the model of the fluid network.

Embodiment 9 is the system of any one of embodiments 1-8 furthercomprising a display.

Embodiment 10 is the system of any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein themodel includes one or more directed acyclic graph (DAGs).

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “certainembodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” whether ornot including the term “exemplary” preceding the term “embodiment,”means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the certain exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as “in one or moreembodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in anembodiment” in various places throughout this specification are notnecessarily referring to the same embodiment of the certain exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particularfeatures, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

While the specification has described in detail certain exemplaryembodiments, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, uponattaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive ofalterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments.Accordingly, it should be understood that this disclosure is not to beunduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth hereinabove. Inparticular, as used herein, the recitation of numerical ranges byendpoints is intended to include all numbers subsumed within that range(e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5). In addition,all numbers used herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about.”

Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments have been described. Theseand other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of optimally determining sensor orinfrastructure placement in a fluid network, the method comprising:creating a model of the fluid network, wherein the model comprises i) aplurality of directionally connected nodes representing fluidinfrastructure disposed in the fluid network, wherein directions of themodel correspond to fluid flow directions in the fluid network, and ii)one or more sensors positioned at one or more selected locations in thefluid network; representing the model as a matrix data structureassociated with a processor, wherein the processor is disposed outsideof the fluid network; analyzing, via the processor, the matrix toevaluate whether each node of the model satisfies one or morelocalizability criteria comprising for a given node, evaluating whetherthere are at least two sensors disposed downstream of the given nodewhich have the respective paths not sharing any d-separator with respectto the given node, a d-separator referring to a node which is adependency-connection between two nodes which are directionallyconnected, wherein analyzing the matrix comprises interpreting andexecuting a plurality of instructions associated with the processor; anddetermining the sensor or infrastructure placement in the fluid networkbased on results of analyzing the matrix, comprising when a given nodedoes not satisfy the localizability criteria, providing a sensor to thegiven node, and when the given node satisfies the localizabilitycriteria, not providing a sensor to the given node.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the model includes one or more directed acyclic graphs(DAGs), and the matrix includes a reachability matrix.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein analyzing the matrix comprises dynamic programmingincluding a bottom-up approach starting from the lowest level in themodel.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the sensor orinfrastructure placement comprises determining the minimum number ofsensors for covering the whole fluid network.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein determining the sensor or infrastructure placement comprisesdetermining a complexity index of the fluid network as the ratio of theminimum number of required sensors and the number of nodes.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein creating the model further comprises groupinga plurality of adjacent nodes of the model into a node set.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining the sensor or infrastructureplacement comprises adding one or more fluid paths between the nodes inthe fluid network to reduce the number of sensors.
 8. A system,comprising: one or more sensors positioned at one or more selectedlocations in a fluid network, wherein the sensors are configured tocollect data from the fluid network at the respective locations; and aprocessor disposed outside of the fluid network, wherein the processoris configured to receive the data from the sensors, and analyze the databased on a model of the fluid network, wherein the model comprises aplurality of directionally connected nodes representing fluidinfrastructure disposed in the fluid network and the one or more sensorspositioned at the one or more selected locations, wherein directions ofthe model correspond to fluid flow directions in the fluid network,wherein a plurality of instructions are interpretable and executable bythe processor to analyze the data and determine sensor placement withinthe fluid network, wherein the processor is further configured to:represent the model as a matrix data structure associated with aprocessor; analyze the matrix to evaluate whether each node of the modelsatisfies one or more localizability criteria comprising for a givennode, evaluate whether there are at least two sensors disposeddownstream of the given node which have the respective paths not sharingany d-separator with respect to the given node, a d-separator referringto a node which is a dependency-connection between two nodes which aredirectionally connected; and determine the sensor or infrastructureplacement in the fluid network based on results of analyzing the matrix,comprising when a given node does not satisfy the localizabilitycriteria, providing a sensor to the given node, and when the given nodesatisfies the localizability criteria, not providing a sensor to thegiven node.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the fluid network includesa water network.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the fluidinfrastructure of the fluid network includes one or more water filters.11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors includesone or more filter sensors provided with the water filters.
 12. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the data from the sensors are related to oneor more parameters of a disinfectant concentration, a contaminantconcentration, a pressure, or a flow rate.
 13. The system of claim 8,wherein the data are related to a change or damage to the fluid network.14. The system of claim 8 further comprising a database associated withthe processor, wherein the data from the sensors are stored in thedatabase.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the database furtherincludes historical data related to the model of the fluid network. 16.The system of claim 8 further comprising a display.
 17. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the model includes one or more directed acyclic graph(DAGs).